Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides the image forming apparatus for successively performing information communication between an attaching part and the main body of the image forming apparatus. The communication-end antenna section 11 is provided in the toner supplying holder-containing section 3 in the main body of the image forming apparatus, so as to face the IC tag in the toner supplying holder 2. The toner supplying holder-containing section 3 is covered with the electromagnetic shield material 7.

Description

[0001]This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2004 / 189633 filed in Japan on Jun. 28, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which performs wireless information communication with an attaching part that is detachable to the image forming apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]An image forming apparatus using an electronic photograph method such as a copying machine or a printer needs miscellaneous maintenances. Examples of the maintenances are supplement of expendable supplies such as developer, and exchange of a variety of parts that are detachable to the image forming apparatus according to their durability. In the maintenance, the part attached to the image forming apparatus (called an attaching part hereinafter) often contains a storage element which stores registration of a variety of information ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus with a detachable attaching part that can communicate with the main body of the apparatus using a communication device and an electromagnetic shield material. This shield material prevents external electromagnetic waves and magnetic fields from interfering with the communication, resulting in a more stable and reliable connection between the main body and the attaching part. Overall, this invention ensures secure and stable information communication between the main body and the attaching part.

Problems solved by technology

An image forming apparatus using an electronic photograph method such as a copying machine or a printer needs miscellaneous maintenances.

The above storage element is vulnerable to electromagnetism, mechanic vibration and heat caused by a motor that is a driving source of a conveyor belt used in a production step of a process cartridge, which may cause unwanted change of contents of the information stored in the storage element.

The process cartridge described in the document 1, which achieves prevention of the bad influence on the storage element by electromagnetism, vibration and heat in production steps or assembly steps of the process cartridge, however still has a problem of communication noise caused by a variety of electromagnetic waves generated in the environment under which the image forming apparatus is used.

As a result, in a room where the image forming apparatus is installed, the above electric appliance becomes the noise source that prevents good reception of AM wave.

Such a defect often results in hindrance to communication wave between the storage element and the main body antenna, or interference in electromagnetic induction in the main body antenna, thereby blocking power supply.

Therefore, communication error easily occurs between the storage element and the main body antenna.

Further, in the main body of the image forming apparatus, there are miscellaneous noise sources such as a magnetic field generated around motors and a harness, and an electromagnetic wave coming from high-voltage-generating circuits.

Particularly, when an electrostatic noise is generated in the image forming apparatus, there is a possibility that the above storage element is destroyed.

The storage element of this process cartridge, that is not attached to the image forming apparatus but is placed near the image forming apparatus, may also be a cause of hindrance to stable communication between the storage element of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus and the main body antenna.

As described above, in the environment under which the image forming apparatus is installed, there are various factors generating electromagnetic waves which cause communication noises.

Therefore, for a conventional process cartridge, there has been a difficulty in accurately performing information communication between a storage element and a main body antenna.[Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 156890 / 2002 (Tokukai 2002-156890) (published date; May 31, 2002)[Document 2] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 49206 / 2002 (Tokukai 2002-49206) (published date; Feb. 15, 2002)[Document 3] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 117309 / 2001 (Tokukai 2001-117309) (published date; Apr. 27, 2001)[Document 4] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 22230 / 2001 (Tokukai 2001-22230) (published date; Jan. 26, 2001)[Document 5] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 221938 / 1998) (Tokukaihei 10-221938) (published date; Aug. 21, 1998)

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